Dame Julie Andrews

In revolving Lady Catherine's expressions, however, she could not help feeling some uneasiness as to the possible consequences of her persisting in this interference.

From what she had said of her resolution to prevent the marriage, it occurred to Elizabeth that she must speak to her nephew, and how he might take a similar representation of the evils attached to a connection with her, she dared not pronounce.

Lizzie knew not the exact degree of his affection for his aunt or his dependence on her judgment, but it was natural to suppose that he thought much higher of her ladyship than she could do.

and it was certain that, in enumerating the miseries of a marriage with one whose immediate connections were so unequal to his own, his aunt would address him on his weakest side.

With his notions of dignity, he would probably feel that the arguments which to Elizabeth had appeared weak and ridiculous contained much good sense and solid reasoning.

If he had been wavering before as to what he should do, which had often seemed likely, the advice and entreaty of so near a relation might settle every doubt and determine him at once to be as happy as dignity unblemished could make him.

In that case, he would return no more.

Lady Catherine might see him on her way through town, and his engagement to Bingley of coming again to Netherfield must give way.

If, therefore, an excuse for not keeping his promise should come to his friend within a few days, Lizzie added...

I shall know how to understand it.

I shall then give over every expectation, every wish of his constancy.

If he is satisfied with only regretting me when he might have obtained my affections and hand, I shall soon cease to regret him at all.

The surprise of the rest of the family on hearing who their visitor had been was very great, but they obligingly satisfied it with the same kind of supposition which had appeased Mrs. Bennet's curiosity, and Elizabeth was spared from much teasing on the subject.

The next morning, as she was going downstairs, she was met by her father, who came out of his library with a letter in his hand.

Lizzie, said Mr. Bennet, I was going to look for you.

Come into my room.

She followed him thither, and her curiosity to know what he had to tell her was heightened by the supposition of its being in some manner connected with the letter he held.

It suddenly struck her that it might be from Lady Catherine, and Lizzie anticipated with dismay all the consequent explanations.

She followed her father to the fireplace, and they both sat down.

He then said, ''I have received a letter this morning that has astonished me exceedingly.